That was a very real moment I had today.

But before we get there, let’s rewind to the start of the day.

I woke up this morning, checked the stats on my Oura ring, and discovered I had spent 10.5 hours of the previous day in “high stress” mode. Honestly? That tracks. Especially after being thrown into the deep end with what felt like weights strapped to our ankles.

But nonetheless…we persevered.

Today was our first full day of driving, and it was something to behold. We met in the lobby, piled into our vehicles, and set out with a list of checkpoints en route to Ajmer, a series of challenges to complete, and a handful of must-see destinations along the way.

Boy, were we in for a ride.

Armed with our list, each team tried to figure out how to reach our first stop: Amber Fort. Despite the front desk confidently telling me to take a right out of the hotel, the only available exit was a left. And by the time we found a place to U-turn, we were somehow on a completely different road and fully separated from every other team.

A strong start to the day!

We eventually regained our bearings and headed in what we hoped was the right direction before deciding to stop and ask for clarification. As a reminder, technology is a no-no. The only way to survive this challenge is to stop and chat with locals.

Because the roads are about as convoluted as my sense of direction, we pulled over on a narrow street to double-check before committing to another long-winded detour. We happened to stop beside a small chai stall and thought, why not check something off the list while we’re here?

One challenge awarded four points for a photo of both teammates making chai at a stall.

What we didn’t know was that these kind humans wouldn’t just help us earn points and send us the right direction, they would also help push our Tuk Tuk down the street to a mechanic after I accidentally kicked the brake line out of place.

From day one, we’ve experienced nothing but kindness and curiosity from the people here. Another team compared it to feeling like a celebrity as the moment locals see our bright blue Tuk Tuks rolling through town with someone like me behind the wheel, their faces light up and we usually get some combination of a big thumbs up, a huge smiles, or some combination of photos/videos of us waving as we drive. And our chai friends were no exception.

After yesterday’s directional debacle, I was convinced we’d be far behind. But when we spotted another Northland-branded vehicle near the fort, all of my hope was restored.

We made our way up to Amber Fort, which includes what’s often referred to as the “Great Wall of India,” snapped a few photos, and headed back down…only to experience déjà vu as we somehow drove in one large circle around the city multiple times.

Thankfully, we weren’t alone. Messages from fellow Challengers started rolling in: “We are SO lost.” So lost, in fact, that a temporary alliance was formed to bend the no-technology rule just long enough to escape Jaipur.

Six hours later…we made it out.

Once we realized that we weren’t in danger of finishing last, my wonderful partner Matt and I decided to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Which meant…shopping. And another checklist item: “Who can get the best bargain?” While I headed for a local pashmina shop to check out some scarves, Matt headed next door. During my time in the shop, I was dressed up in a beautiful saree, had a complementary chai with the owner, and talked about love marriages vs. arranged marriages.

Meanwhile, Matt was going for gold on the challenge check list. While I don’t yet know what the competition accomplished, I can confidently say Matt should teach a masterclass in negotiation. I tend to operate with more of a “I see it, I want it” mindset. Meanwhile, he not only agreed on a great deal on items to take home but he also helped me settle on an agreeable price for a beautiful pashmina I had my eye on.

A quick ice cream stop later, and we were officially on the road to Ajmer.

About an hour and a half from our hotel, I screamed with excitement as we spotted three fellow teams stopped at a petrol station. We joined forces and formed a caravan of blue, bear-branded Tuk Tuks cruising down the highway together. Seeing familiar faces, swapping stories, and rolling into the hotel as a group (very late, may I add) brought me so much joy.

Hilariously, we were among the last four teams to arrive, though not by much. And yes, many of us required a bit of technological assistance to escape the beautiful chaos that is Jaipur.

Which likely means tomorrow will be just as adventurous.

Even after just one day, it’s clear that the Northland Challenge is about far more than navigating a new city. It’s about adventure, pushing your limits, and realizing you’re capable of far more than you think.

You could hear it in the stories shared at dinner and in the laughter over unpredictable moments. Every experience was unique, yet all rooted in the same core values that are threaded amongst all Northlanders.

Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow holds.